BEAUTY

The natural ageing process of the skin includes gradual thinning and atrophy. During the menopausal years, the loss of oestrogen production accelerates skin changes. The epidermis becomes thinner and less undulating and re-epithelialization is slowed. The dermis also becomes thinner and loses elasticity and tensile strength; collagen production changes, with decreased synthesis and turnover and increase collagen cross-linking. Water and glycosaminoglycans content is also decreased.

These modifications can be slowed with topical and internal phyoestrogen (Plant oestrogens) therapy. Regeneration of the epidermis and dermal elastic fibres, which improves the elastic properties of the skin and the appearance, as well as emolliency, ‘feel’, and folding of the skin (wrinkling) has been documented in various studies.

More recent studies continue to provide evidence that topical phytooestrogens can benefit ageing skin, for example, by improving the structure of elastic fibres, increasing skin-fold thickness, and increasing skin collagen content.

Cutaneous ageing also results from a combination of chronological ageing, environmental ageing (e.g. tobacco, pollution, photo-damage ageing due to excessive sun exposure) and also hormonal ageing. It accelerates at the menopause with oestrogen privation. Skin is a hormone-dependent organ, rich in oestrogen receptors and associated protein.

In conclusion, topical phyto-oestrogen shows promise in improving skin affected by cutaneous ageing. Topical phytooestrogen preparation, may improve cutaneous ageing by increasing skin thickness, and probably skin collagen content and decrease the severity of line wrinkles.

References

De Rigal J, Escoffter C, Querleux B, Faivre B, Agache P, Ltveque JL. Assessment of ageing of the human skin by in vivo ultrasonic imaging. J. Invest Dermatol 1989; 93: 621-625.

Escoffter C, Querleux B, De Rigal J, Leveque JL. In vitro study of the velocity of ultrasound in the skin. Bioeng Skin 1986; 2: 87-94.

Agache P, Mignot J, Makki S. Microtopography of the skin and ageing. In: Kligman A. Takase

Y eds. Cutaneous Ageing, Tokyo. University of Tokyo Press 1988: 475-499.

Hasselquist MB, Goldberg N, Schroeter A, Spelsberg TC. Isolation and characterization of the estrogen receptor in human skin. J. Clin Endocrinol Metab 1980; 50: 76-82.

Brincat M, Moniz CJ, Studd JWW, Darby A, Magos A, Emburey G, Versi E. Long-term effects of the menopause and sex hormones on skin thickness. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1985; 92: 256-259

Bhawan J, Gonzales-Serva A, Nehal K et al. Effects of topical tretinoin on photodamaged skin: a multicenter study. Arch Dermatol 1991; 127: 659-665.

Olsen EA, Katz HI, Levine N et al. Tretinoin emollient cream: a new therapy for photodamaged skin. J Am Acad Dermatol 1992; 26: 215-224.

Caputo R, Monti M, Motta S, et al. The treatment of visible signs of senescence; the Italian experience.

Br J Dermatol 1990; 122(suppl. 35): 97-103.

Grove GL, Grove MJ, Leyden JJ. Optical protilometry : an objective method for quantification of facial wrinkles. J Am Acad Dermatol 1989; 21: 631-637.

Stern RS, Coopman SA. The measure of youth. Arch Dermatol 1992; 128: 390-393.

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Zest Magazine 01/08
Zest loves Claudia's Customised Skin-care.

Pregnancy & Birth Magazine 01/08
Claudia's advice on skin-care for acne during pregnancy.

Tatler 11 & 12/07 & 01/08
Claudia's Skin-care as seen 3-months consecutively in Tatler magazine.

Family Health 08/07
Claudia's patient is interviewed by Family Health, the magazine issued by the Royal College of Nursing, to be found in all GP surgeries.

Claudia Louch
^{BSc Hons
MCPP; MSc Pharm; MSc RNutr}

Practitioner of Nutritional Science; Pharmacologist;
Phytotherapist

BBC Two

June 2008

Claudia Louch is the Nutritionist on the BBC programme 'The Supersizers'

The Observer Magazine 03/08
The Observer features Claudia's treatment options for Oral Allergy Syndrome (OAS).

Natural Health Magazine 02/08
Natural Health votes Claudia's skin-care as the treatment of the month and the equivalent of choosing haute couture over high street!